Television coverage of
Test matchs under review.

Television rights for tests involving the Kiwis will be top of the agenda when New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chairman Selwyn Pearson meets leading Australian National Rugby League (NRL) officials today.
The rights, held by News Corp since Super League started in 1996, expired last year and Pearson is keen to test the water about rolling the contract over.

NRL chief executive David Gallop and operations manager Graham Annersley are in Auckland primarily to discuss the possibilities of the Warriors being granted a 10-year licence for the competition.

Gallop is also secretary of the international federation.

Countries only receive television rights for tests played on home soil. New Zealand's pay scale has been $A100,000 ($NZ117,412) for tests against Australia, $A75,000 against Great Britain and $A50,000 for all other tests.

The NRL is half-owned by News Corp and Gallop has strong ties to the powerbrokers within the media empire.

"We would like to roll it over and secure another multi-year deal," Pearson said.

"These talks are exploratory."

The Warriors are seeking a ground-breaking 10-year licence with the NRL.

The Auckland Regional Council is looking to invest $21 million in redeveloping Ericsson Stadium but want a long-term commitment from the club before doing so